ridiculous Terminology in GCSE IT
- Thread starter Gundog48
- Start date
Associate
Is this not all a question of definitions as previously suggested.
Some of us with long memories regard a computer as an entity in itself and items you connect to it would generally be regarded as peripherals.
Not least with the increasing use of processors outside the popular concept of a computer, some people regard the processor as an entity in itself and what connects to it they might reasonably think of as peripheral to it.
A peripheral is separated from the main issue, but what people regard as the main issue and what they regard as peripheral to it, can and does change with time.
This logic can, I would suggest, be taken too far, and in the case of this thread, on occasion has been.
Some of us with long memories regard a computer as an entity in itself and items you connect to it would generally be regarded as peripherals.
Not least with the increasing use of processors outside the popular concept of a computer, some people regard the processor as an entity in itself and what connects to it they might reasonably think of as peripheral to it.
A peripheral is separated from the main issue, but what people regard as the main issue and what they regard as peripheral to it, can and does change with time.
This logic can, I would suggest, be taken too far, and in the case of this thread, on occasion has been.
Soldato
- Joined
- 30 Sep 2005
- Posts
- 16,715
A piece of hardware that connects to the computer (incorrect)
A piece of hardware that connects to the processor (correct)
Yeah it's a silly question really.
What is a computer? I'd say it was a combination of monitor, keyboard, mouse, tower unit, operating system.
What is a processor? Have to go with a CPU on that one
so the question is asking what a peripheral is. Well a peripheral as we know is hardware such as keyboard, mouse, speakers etc etc I wouldn't say internal hardware as that is classed as a component so a peripheral must be external hardware.
Can you plug external hardware into a CPU? No, you can only connect a CPU to a motherboard.
A piece of hardware that connects to the processor (correct)
Yeah it's a silly question really.
What is a computer? I'd say it was a combination of monitor, keyboard, mouse, tower unit, operating system.
What is a processor? Have to go with a CPU on that one
so the question is asking what a peripheral is. Well a peripheral as we know is hardware such as keyboard, mouse, speakers etc etc I wouldn't say internal hardware as that is classed as a component so a peripheral must be external hardware.
Can you plug external hardware into a CPU? No, you can only connect a CPU to a motherboard.
Soldato
But the problem is that 'computer' is very vague. Any device which 'computes' is a computer, including a job title many years ago.
Having said that, processor is hardly any less vague. It's not a great question, but it is GCSE IT...
Having said that, processor is hardly any less vague. It's not a great question, but it is GCSE IT...
Soldato
Because unless there is some new definition of processor i'm not aware of, then plugging a peripheral into a processor would be insane.
Peripherals are PERIPHERAL to a computer, the clue is in the bloody name.
Soldato
I'm no expert on the Z80 however the 6502 could have external expansion ports interfaced directly to the microprocessor.
Soldato
The answers say 'a piece of hardware that connects to...'. No mention of 'plugging in'. On a technical level peripherals do indeed connect to the processor (in the system architecture/electrical/data connection sense). 'Computer' is really a wide and ambiguous term - only in layperson's language does it specifically refer to that box on your desk full of PC bits.
If you are going to use layperson's terminology then I have a fridge magnet 'connected' to my 'computer' here at work - is that fridge magnet a peripheral? If I poke my finger in a hole in the case, am I a peripheral? A colleague has a USB hamster wheel that is powered by a USB port (no data connection to the CPU) - is that a peripheral?
Answers: no, no, and no.
Soldato
USB Hamster wheel = 
Soldato
USB Hamster wheel =
It's cool!
Her's is just powered by USB and goes round. Isn't even recognised as a device. I am aware of others (er... through my extensive USB hamster wheel research
) that are installed devices and the hamster wheel speed responds to your typing speed. I would have course allow such an advanced USB hamster wheel to be classed as a peripheral 
.Though of course both 'connect' to the 'computer' just like the fridge magnet if you insist on using layperson's terminology like many in this thread who don't understand the technically phrased question in the OP.
someone better change this then as i know lots of people use wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral
Associate
Define a peripheral:
An auxiliary device, such as a printer, modem, or storage system, that works in conjunction with a computer.
That being said my washing machine has a computer.... is my wife a peripheral
An auxiliary device, such as a printer, modem, or storage system, that works in conjunction with a computer.
That being said my washing machine has a computer.... is my wife a peripheral
Last edited:
electric washing machines are controlled by computers which in turn are controlled by the operator/user.
just because we have the ability to place the computer inside the machine doesnt make the machine a computer or does it?
something else interesting there is no need for a device to have a processor to be a computer.
so no peripheral for them then i guess.
just because we have the ability to place the computer inside the machine doesnt make the machine a computer or does it?
something else interesting there is no need for a device to have a processor to be a computer.
so no peripheral for them then i guess.
Last edited:
Soldato
Technically you could, if you bent the pins up so that all the rest of the stuff you needed to make it work was directly connected (i.e. clock, earth, volts, ram)
Realistically, you'd run traces off of the IO pins to the edge of a PCB and connect there.
QR
The system is stupid... I got a D grade in IT for something like not numbering the pages in my coursework? The grade has absolutely zero reflection on my IT skill... I do technical support full-time for a living and am the biggest geek most of my mates know
The system is stupid... I got a D grade in IT for something like not numbering the pages in my coursework? The grade has absolutely zero reflection on my IT skill... I do technical support full-time for a living and am the biggest geek most of my mates know
Permabanned
- Joined
- 9 Aug 2008
- Posts
- 35,711
Get used to it, Microsoft love this type of learning. Follow their rules, the way they want you to learn.....if you ever take MS exams you will see.
Oh also, good for you that you can build sites, make your own workstation et al.
Last edited:
I got a D grade for my Computer Studies O-Level, way, way back. I was the best in the class at actually using and programming computers, but that counted for nothing. It was more of a computer history exam in those days, going on about punched cards and paper tape - in the era of the BBC Micro and Sinclair computers! Not relevant at all.
Sounds like the modern GSCE courses aren't much better.
Sounds like the modern GSCE courses aren't much better.